Discover Green Marble Falls project taking root in Inks Lake State Park
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — While the water level at Inks Lake State Park doesn’t reflect the drought-related problems found at lakes Buchanan and Travis, there’s no hiding one issue: the trees.
“The rangers told us the park has lost several hundred trees because of the drought,” Jennifer Jones said.
Upon hearing that news, her 11-year-old son, Gabe Jones, the founder of Discover Green Marble Falls, knew what he had to do.
“I wanted to do something to help the park,” he said. “So we’ll be planting 100 trees at Inks Lake State Park to help replace some of the trees lost in the drought.”
Discover Green Marble Falls and the rangers are hosting a tree planting Feb. 16 starting at 9 a.m. at Inks Lake State Park, 3630 Park Road 4 in Burnet County. There is no entrance fee for volunteers, but they must check in at the park headquarters.
Gabe started Discover Green Marble Falls in August 2012 as a way to help the local environment and to encourage others to get outdoors.
Gabe emailed the rangers about ideas to help at the park. Eventually, the trees became the most pressing issue for both the park and Gabe.
“It’s something we can do that will make a difference, not just when we plant them, but for years to come,” he said.
As with all Discover Green Marble Falls projects, Gabe is turning to local volunteers to lend a hand. The park will supply the tools, but people might want to bring their own gloves.
Discover Green Austin is providing the native saplings.
“This is a great project for Scouts and other groups as well,” Jennifer Jones said. “We’re seeing more Scouts at each event.”
Those interested in helping can show up the day of the project or email Gabe at kjjones@nctv.com or message him through the Discover Green Marble Falls Facebook page.
“The park rangers would really like to make this an annual event,” Gabe said. “And I think that’s something I’m definitely interested in.”
daniel@thepicayune.com